Summary: Kagome surprises Sesshoumaru after a hard day at work.

Prompt: December 2021 Prompt – Treat

Treat

It had been a very long day.

Sesshoumaru's entire staff had reminded him of decapitated poultry all day, and a headache had formed within the first hour of being in the kitchen. Not to mention the icy roads had caused a delay in the delivery of the specialty ingredients, so he'd had to send his sous chef to the local market for cheaper ones.

Hopefully, his talent with spices had hidden the difference in quality.

Sighing, Sesshoumaru shut the door to his car, intent on relaxing for the rest of the night. His chef whites would need to be cleaned today, as an exuberant customer had managed to spill an entire glass of wine while he was walking through the dining room.

Why did Christmas Eve always cause everyone to lose their executive functioning?

He was reaching for the door handle when the scent of apples and cinnamon hit his nostrils. Golden eyes widened as his shoulders sagged in relief.

Somehow Kagome always knew.

His coat and various work paraphernalia were quickly shed before he shuffled into the kitchen, Kagome stopping him before he'd taken more than a step inside.

"Nuh-uh, you go sit at the table."

He raised an eyebrow at her but didn't argue, changing direction and slumping into his usual chair. He didn't mind cooking at home as well, he'd been doing so for centuries, but he also appreciated the art of takeout.

It wasn't long before Kagome placed a small plate in front of him, a simple apple turnover in the centre. Caramel had been haphazardly drizzled over top, and Sesshoumaru chuckled as he picked it up.

"Shuichi is getting lazy in his presentation," he said, humming softly as he bit into the flakey crust.

"It isn't from Shuichi's."

Sesshoumaru paused, cocking his head to the side as he concentrated on the various flavours.

"I had thought you enjoyed their pastries."

Kagome twisted her fingers together, and he was suddenly aware of the twinge of apprehension in her scent.

"I do, but I needed something different for today." She looked at him with hope in her eyes. "Do you like it?"

"Yes, of course. It could use a dash of acidity to balance out the caramel but overall, it is delightful."

Kagome immediately burst into tears.

Mouthing falling open, Sesshoumaru stared at her, trying to discern what he'd done wrong. He reached out, pulling his distraught mate into his lap, pressing her face into his shoulder as he stroked calming circles into her back.

"Was I not supposed to enjoy it?"

"Y-Yes! I mean, I wasn't sure. I-I didn't know if you would."

"I usually find apple pastries agreeable."

She finally pulled back, blue eyes glittering with tears. "This one was different."

His brow puckered, confusion tightening the muscles on his face before he suddenly looked towards the kitchen. The counters were clean, but a few pans were scattered around the sink.

Understanding dawned, his hands stilling on her back.

"You made it."

A single nod. "I did."

"You have been practicing."

"I have."

Sesshoumaru's face softened, as only it could around his mate, and he placed a kiss against her temple.

"I am proud of you."

The sound she made was somewhere between a sob and a snort. "Don't be. I only managed to save three and a half out of two dozen. The first bath burned, and then I kept checking the second one so much that most of them dried out instead of actually cooking."

"It is still better than your past attempts."

A faint blush crept into her cheeks. "Mama's been giving me tips."

A slender eyebrow raised. "You did not think to ask me?"

"It wouldn't have been a surprise that way! Besides, you've tried to help me before, and it's always ended in disaster."

"You have only set fire to something twice."

Kagome's lips turned down into a pout. "We had to replace the oven the last time."

Sesshoumaru chuckled and kissed away the pout, coaxing her into responding as his hand splayed wide on her back, pulling her body flush with his.

"Stop that—" she said, giggling against his mouth. "You're trying to distract me—"

"It is not a distraction. I am simply conveying my thanks for your surprise."

She pulled back, eyes tearing up again. "Do you really like it?"

"I said as much, did I not?"

"Yeah, but you thought it was from Shuichi's."

"The fact that I made the comparison should tell you how well it was made."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, nuzzling his jaw. "Thank you. I tried really hard with this one."

"Which makes it taste all the better."

Humming softly, she relaxed into his embrace. "You get tomorrow off, right?"

He nodded. "As well as the following week. Yui can handle things until the new year."

Kagome's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Indeed." Sesshoumaru claimed her lips in a quick but consuming kiss. "Merry Christmas, mate."